Overheard at GMM HQ
"Sometimes you have to 'thumbs up' and 'thumbs down' a lot of tracks to get your Pandora station to feel truly on-brand." - Mia Benenate, on finding your brand tone.
WHAT THE INDUSTRY IS BUZZING ABOUT
It's the End of the World As We Know It ...
...and this time it's not due to AI takeovers or extraterrestrials attacking. In fact, it's worse. A new study suggests that humanity is rapidly approaching extinction because sperm counts have dropped so precipitously that they could, theoretically, reach zero in as few as 40 years. Imminent apocalypse be damned.
Men Are Being Born Less Male
The lower sperm counts are attributed to endocrine disruptors, or chemicals that affect the production of hormones. These chemicals, like phthalates and BPA, are now pretty much everywhere. Another reason to use paper not plastic.
THE 411
So 40 years is kiiiiinda soon, but nobody panic. Early research is showing promising steps in growing sperm from embryonic stem cells—taken from female mice. Which means reproduction without needing men at all. The future is female, indeed.
Brace Yourself, the Acronyms Are Coming
The FDA has approved a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device from Brainsway for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The two million people in the U.S. with OCD just tweeted, "TMS FTW BAE!"
Old Magnet, New Tricks
The device uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It was previously approved as a treatment for severe depression and migraines and will be marketed as an option for treatment-resistant OCD that has not responded to medication or psychotherapy.
THE 411
TMS is expanding treatment options for numerous illnesses where medication and psychotherapy fall short. If only researchers could come up with a device that translates acronyms and abbreviations on-demand. #PostTwitterProblems
Tastes Just Like Chicken, er, Cancer
A new biosensor has been developed based on human smell and taste. Scientists say this technology could eventually be used for everything from detecting ingredients in food to sniffing out disease, to knowing if your kid just ran their toothbrush under the water instead of actually brushing. Okay, we made up that last one but the point is—it's a game-changer.
Notes of Freesia, With a Hint of Diabetes
Scientists know that certain diseases have unique biomarkers. The EssenceChip compares what it's "smelling" against these biomarkers, sniffing out a disease or diagnosis before any other technology would be able to.
THE 411
While still awaiting FDA clearance, the biochip could provide inexpensive, noninvasive, and real-time diagnoses of a wide range of diseases. "Mr. Smith? The doctor will smell you now."
GOOD TO KNOW
File this under "We Needed a Study for That?"—nobody is getting enough sleep, and it's kind of a problem.
